2013 Suzuki Sx4: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2013 Suzuki Sx4
On the 2013 Suzuki Sx4, the failure owners report most often is other powertrain problem, with 4 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 40,000 miles. Overall it scores 70 out of 100, high risk for a 2013.
High risk for a 2013 — 176th riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. 18 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
The failures owners actually file about
Owners have reported 8 named failure modes on the 2013 Suzuki Sx4, and the three most-reported carry 56% of everything filed.
Other powertrain problem leads with 4 reports and about 0.4 per 1,000 vehicles.
Wiring harness or short circuit follows with 3 reports, median 40,000 miles.
Other steering problem follows with 3 reports, median 60,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into transmission (4), steering (4) and electrical (3).
When these failures get reported
16 of the reports on the 2013 Suzuki Sx4 came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 40,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 81% by 50,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 30,000 and 40,000 miles, which alone holds 44% of the dated reports.
38% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
What happens when these parts fail
Across the named modes, 1 a fire. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.39, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, wiring harness or short circuit at $400–$3,500, other steering problem at $350–$2,400 and other engine problem at $300–$4,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
39% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 4 | 4 | — | 38k | — | 0.4 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 3 | 3 | — | 39k | — | 0.3 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 3 | 2 | — | 60k | — | 0.3 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 2 | 2 | — | 36k | — | 0.2 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 34k | — | 0.1 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Airbag warning light or occupant sensor fault | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,600 | High |
| Power steering pump or fluid leak | steering | 1 | 1 | — | 27k | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 1 | 1 | — | 40k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Unclassified problem | other | 2 | 2 | — | 37k | — | 0.2 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2013 Suzuki Sx4 draws about 1.9 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 79th percentile of complaint rates among 2013 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 9,336 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2013 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
What owners wrote
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint narratives, trimmed for length. The odometer reading is the one the owner gave.
Other powertrain problem
Started to have a loud squeal come out of the right side of the car. Took it to dealership and they diagnosed as the axle. It has been almost two-months and they have yet to get in an axle since there are none available throughout the world. They said there must be an issue with the axles since there is none available and they have not been able to get one. *tr
Received a recall notice from suzuki. Took it to the dealer for repairs. They said they don't have the repair parts, never had the repair parts and don't know when they might get the repair parts. They said that there is no one to call at suzuki since they have exited the us market. *tr
Wiring harness or short circuit
Dashboard airbag warning light comes on and stays on. Dealer reset it twice, still on, meaning airbag is not functional. Dealer wants to start repair by replacing wiring harness in seat, then the airbag module, if that doesn't work. Claims vehicle is out of warranty for this work. I believe it is a safety issue that shoudl be addressed by manufacturer. Please advise. Thanks,
Dashboard airbag warning light comes on and stays on. Dealer reset it twice, still on, meaning airbag is not functional. Dealer wants to start repair by replacing wiring harness in seat, then the airbag module, if that doesn't work. Claims vehicle is out of warranty for this work. I believe it is a safety issue that shoudl be addressed by manufacturer. Please advise. Thanks,
Recalls on the 2013 model year
NHTSA has issued 5 recall campaigns covering the 2013 Suzuki Sx4, affecting an estimated 29,309 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover steering:hydraulic power assist:pump, power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/t and power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication . Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
18,673 vehicles 2018-11-14- Defect
- Suzuki Motor America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Suzuki SX4 vehicles. The power steering pump may seize causing a loss of steering assist.
- Consequence
- A seizure of the power steering pump would cause a loss of power steering assist, requiring extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Suzuki has notified owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2019. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is CZ.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
5,786 vehicles 2018-05-17- Defect
- Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain 2013 Suzuki Kizashi and SX4 vehicles equipped with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Transmission Control Module (TCM) may fail causing a reduction in speed or reduced vehicle acceleration.
- Consequence
- A reduction in vehicle speed or reduced acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the TCM, free of charge. The recall began on June 11, 2018. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is 4005 to 4008.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
18,673 vehicles 2015-09-22- Defect
- Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2012-2103 Suzuki SX4 vehicles manufactured September 3, 2011, to April 5, 2013. In the affected vehicles, insufficient clearance between the power steering pump body and the power steering fluid control valve may cause improper movement of the valve, and as a result, the power steering pump may seize.
- Consequence
- A seizure of the power steering pump would cause a loss of power steering assist, requiring extra steering effort at lower speeds, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering pump, free of charge. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki's customer service number at 1-800-934-0934. Suzuki's number for this recall is VS.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
60,823 vehicles 2014-12-22- Defect
- Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2010-2013 SX4 vehicles manufactured July 16, 2009, to November 1, 2012, and 2010-2013 Kizashi vehicles manufactured October 13, 2009, to October 31, 2012. The shift selector can be moved out of the "Park" position without depressing the brake pedal.
- Consequence
- If the shift selector is moved out of the "Park" position while the brake pedal is not depressed, the vehicle may unexpectedly roll, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will replace the shift selector assembly and inspect, and if necessary, replace the shift knob, free of charge. The recall began January 16, 2015. Owners may contact Suzuki customer service at 1-714-996-7040. Suzuki's number for this recall is VL.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
142 vehicles 2013-11-18- Defect
- Suzuki del Caribe (Suzuki) is recalling certain model year 2013 SX4 vehicles manufactured December 26, 2012, through February 4, 2013 and equipped with a continuously variable transmission. The bolts that fasten the drive plate to the torque converter may not have been installed with sufficient torque and may loosen and come out.
- Consequence
- If the bolts detach they can get caught between the drive plate and cylinder block, which may cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Suzuki will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque converter bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2014. Owners may contact Suzuki at 1-800-572-1490. Suzuki's recall number is VE.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2013 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2013 sits in the model line
High risk for a 2013 — 176th riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 7 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2007 comes out best at 63 and 2010 worst at 76, with 2013 itself at 70.
If the model year is negotiable, 2007, 2011 and 2008 score lower than 2013 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2007–2013 generation specifically, 2007 is the strongest year at 63 and 2010 the weakest at 76.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2007-2013 generation, 2007 Suzuki Sx4 scores best at 63 and 2010 Suzuki Sx4 worst at 76.
The limits of complaint data
18 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 18 reports, 16 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 89% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Suzuki Sx4?
The most-reported failures are other powertrain problem (4 reports, median 40,000 miles), wiring harness or short circuit (3 reports, median 40,000 miles) and other steering problem (3 reports, median 60,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2013 Suzuki Sx4 reliable?
It scores 70 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 176th riskiest of the 284 2013 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2013 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Suzuki Sx4 is best?
Within the 2007–2013 generation, 2007 scores best at 63 out of 100 and 2010 worst at 76. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed